The WATER`S Edge

The WATER’S Edge
QuietWaters Ministries • Renewing Christian Leaders
Marshall Shelley Speaks at
2013 Shepherd’s Blessing Dinner
This past spring many of you joined us as we had a
wonderful time at our Shepherd’s Blessing Dinner.
Our speaker was Marshall Shelley, vice-president
of Christianity Today and editor in chief of CT’s
Leadership Media Group, which develops resources
for church leaders, including Leadership Journal,
PreachingToday.com, ChurchLawAndTax.com,
and BuildingChurchLeaders.com.
With his years of experience writing to and for pastors
and other Christian leaders, Marshall is highly qualified
to address issues related to Christian leadership. The
title of his presentation was, “The Air Leaders Breathe”.
In his presentation he addressed topics such as an
“inescapable calling”, church politics, constant
comparisons and others.
During his presentation
Marshall shared what a
pastor once told his staff,
“I was at a board meeting
where one elder asked, ‘Are
you willing to make sacrifices
with your family for the sake
of the church?’ And it was
a weird moment because I
asked myself, What's the right
answer to that question? How
Marshall Shelley
would those in other tough
professions answer that question—a policeman, a fire
fighter, a politician, an ER doctor, a college coach,
someone in the military, or a long haul trucker answer
that question? Not to mention ambassadors like Chris
Stephens in Benghazi or other members of the
diplomatic corps. Do they require sacrifices with
family members?”
Yes, such jobs, including ministry, can be tough,
sacrificial assignments. But we dare not allow ministry
to be unnecessarily destructive to the lives of our
family members.
As Marshall shared those words, I recalled the many
times I’ve spoken to pastors who were dealing with
the fallout resulting from the sacrifices they had made
with their families. It was unintentional, but the
results were none the less harmful. At QuietWaters
we help heal families and marriages damaged by the
demands of ministry.
(Continued on page 4)
“Our last pastor donated BOTH kidneys”
August 2013
Praying or Gossiping?
by Jim Schlottman
In his book The Potluck People, Ron Sheveland tells
the story of how one pastor exited his church. Here
are some excerpts from that story.
“Before we go any further in our service, I would like
to invite Marvin DeBoer to come up and lead us in
prayer.” Like a deer caught in headlights, Marvin’s
eyes took on a startled, frozen glare back at the pulpit.
He and Pastor Sherman were locked in conflict, a holy
war, and he didn’t trust this present overture.
“Come on, Marvin. You’re a prayer warrior. You’ve
been meeting with others in your home to pray for
me and now I would love for you to do it in church.
Come up. Please.”
“As Brother Marvin makes his way up here from the
back pew, let me share some candid thoughts. During
the two and a half years I’ve served as your pastor,
several saints have been concerned about my ministry.
They’ve been kind enough to try to straighten me out
with their suggestions, complaints, and objections.
They’ve been so burdened that they have sacrificially
given up their time to hold private little prayer
meeting that haven’t included me, but have been
about me. I have, however, gotten letters, mostly
anonymous, telling me to change or leave.”
“Up until now I’ve been just plain obstinate.
Me and the Missus feel bad that we can’t please
some of you.”
Marvin had reached the front but he hesitated at the
bottom of the stairs.
“Please Marvin, come up.” Pastor Sherman reached
out his hand. “It’s time to set things right.” Marvin
reluctantly took his hand and joined him on stage.
Pastor Sherman used his thick arm to encircle Marvin’s
back and redirect him toward the front left edge of the
platform. “For something this important, would you
mind kneeling? I need serious prayer.”
“No, but I, as. . .” Inwardly Marvin seethed, but he
allowed his body to be pushed downward.
August 2013
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“Here. Kneel right here and pray for me. You had
better pray real good because I’ve got one more thing
to say and do before your intercession. And that’s
this.” His voice became shrill. “You and others have
been kicking me around for way too long. Now it’s
my turn!”
Reverend Sherman booted Marvin DeBoer right off
the platform.
Pastor Bruce [Sherman] marched down the platform
stairs and toward the seldom-used side exit door.
He ended his pastorate with a wave and walked out
the door into the rain and wind to where his wife was
waiting in a 24-foot yellow Ryder truck.
Sheveland’s book is filled with such humor, but
remember this is just fiction. I truly hope that no
pastor would actually use this method to leave a church.
But, now let me tell you a true story. A pastor called
me several years ago and the whole story was told
when he said, “Last Sunday when I stepped into
the pulpit and looked out over the congregation I
wondered that if I had a pistol and shot myself right
then, would anyone care?”
(Continued on page 4)
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To plan your gifts for maximum impact, contact
QuietWaters Ministries toll-free at 1.866.592.8377 or
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QuietWaters Ministries Adds Two New Counselors
We have asked Vioneth Villatoro-Ramirez and Patti
Cappa to join us because of their special talents
and experience.
Patti Cappa’s last ten years of service have been as
Executive Director and Co-Therapist for Marble
Retreat, which focuses primarily on Christian leaders.
She has also maintained a private practice working
with individuals, couples and families. She brings
extensive experience in counseling those suffering
from addictions. Patti also gives QuietWaters added
experience in working with couples who are struggling
with their marriage in ministry, which is one of most
common issues we confront.
Patti is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
and a Certified Addictions Counselor II in the state
of Colorado. She obtained her Master’s Degree in
Psychology from California State University, Chico and
has over 20 years of experience in the counseling field.
God’s preparations are also evident in Patti’s life as God
brings QuietWaters outstanding counseling leadership.
Vioneth Villatoro-Ramirez joins Christine Denlinger,
our Spanish-speaking counselor, to work in our
counseling intensive ministry for Spanish-only
speakers. She will conduct clinical intakes in Spanish.
This ministry is growing with pastors coming to
QuietWaters from South and Central America as well
as here in the United States. Our Spanish website is
ministeriosaguasdereposo.org.
Patti Cappa
Vioneth Villatoro-Ramirez
Vioneth Villatoro-Ramirez has served for more than
twenty years in Christian ministry. Before moving to
the United States in 2005, Vioneth and her husband
Wilmer Ramirez served for twelve years as professors
at the Central American Theological Seminary
(SETECA) in Guatemala City.
From Guatemala, Vioneth taught God’s word to the
Spanish-speaking world through the Radio Cultural
TGN and through conferences, seminars and workshops,
traveling throughout Guatemala, Central America,
Panama, the United States and Mexico. Vioneth is
in the final phase of her master's degree in Mental
Health and Counseling from Denver Seminary.
As you can see, God has prepared Vioneth to serve
Him as QuietWaters serves Christian leaders from
around the world. M
August 2013
3
Shepherd’s Blessing Dinner
Praying or Gossiping?
(Continued from page 1)
(Continued from page 2)
Marshall shared a couple of quotes worth mentioning
here in this newsletter to help us better understand
“The Air Leaders Breathe”.
Would your pastor have reason to have the same
feelings? Do you care about your pastor? What have
you done to encourage your pastor this past week?
“Disturbers are to be rebuked, the low-spirited to be
encouraged, the infirm to be supported, objectors
confuted, the treacherous guarded against, the
unskilled taught, the lazy aroused, the contentious
restrained, the haughty repressed, litigants pacified,
the poor relieved, the oppressed liberated, the good
approved, the evil borne with, and all are to be loved.”
(Augustine, Sermon CCIX)
You may be completely unaware of how mean some
of the members of your church are to your pastor.
Over the years I’ve heard stories about how poorly
some pastors have been treated and it has brought
tears to my eyes.
And, “Those involved in ‘the cure of souls’ need help
tending to the health of their own soul.”
Mark your calendars for the 2014 Shepherd’s Blessing
Dinner which will be held on Thursday, April 24,
2014. Our guest speakers will be Jose (Tommy)
and Janet Moya. Watch for details about this
outstanding couple. M
Now, pastors are not perfect. They make mistakes.
But we must remember what the Apostle Paul said in
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13—“Now we ask you brothers,
to respect those who work hard among you, who
are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.
Hold them in the highest regard in love because of
their work.”
Not because you like them. Not because they are great
preachers. But “because of their work.”
Take time to do something for your pastor or his/her
family today to show you care.
Another way to show that you care and hold you
pastor in the highest regard in love is to assure that
he/she has a place to go when in need of renewal.
That place is QuietWaters.
The Water’s Edge is a publication of QuietWaters
Ministries. It is designed to inform, encourage and
challenge donors and potential donors of this vital
ministry to Christian leaders and their families.
You can assure that QuietWaters will be here for your
pastor by supporting our work. Give if the Lord is
prompting you as it says in Exodus 25: 1-2, “The
Lord said to Moses, ‘Tell the Israelites to bring me an
offering. You are to receive the offering from me from
everyone whose heart prompts them to give.’” M
Write or e-mail us with any comments, suggestions,
or questions regarding the articles in this issue of
The Water’s Edge.
For additional information, contact QuietWaters
Ministries in one of the following ways:
Toll Free: 1-866-5-WATERS
Fax: 303-300-6773
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.Qwaters.org
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QuietWaters Ministries
9185 East Kenyon Avenue, Suite 150
Denver, CO 80237
August 2013